Rotary bag printer



1, 1965 E. E. GIBBONS ROTARY BAG PRINTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 16, 1956 3 1965 E- E. GIBBONS 3,203,345

ROTARY BAG PRINTER Original Filed April 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 59 72 E. E. GIBBONS ROTARY BAG PRINTER Original Filed April 16, 1956 Aug. 31, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 31, 1965 E. E. GIBBONS ROTARY BAG PRINTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed April 16. 1956 fi s. 12

United States Patent 3,203,345 ROTARY BAG PRINTER Earl E. Gibbons, deceased, late of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by A. Lucile Gibbons, administratrnr, Fort Lauderdale, Fla, assignor to A. Lucile Gibbons Continuation of application Ser. No. 578,255, Apr. 16, 1956. This application Nov. 8, 1961, tier. No. 151,104 1 Claim. (Cl. 1-216) This invention relates generally to printing apparatus, and more specifically to a printing apparatus adapted to print indicia on relatively thin and flexible material, such as a multi-wall paper or cloth bag, or cardboard, and the present application is a continuation of co-pending application Serial No. 578,255, filed April 16, 1956, now abandoned.

An object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus that will accurately and with a minimum of time print indicia on such material.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a printing apparatus that will clearly and accurately print indicia on a material at a predetermined position with a minimum of time and effort.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus for printing indicia on a relatively thin and flexible material without smearing and in a minimum of time.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a printing apparatus that will accurately print indicia on materials of various thicknesses in a minimum of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inking roller for a printing apparatus that will uniformly apply ink to the printing type of a printing roller with a minimum of wear on the inking roller.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an inking roller that will automatically adjust itself to uniformly apply ink to the printing type of an adjustable printing roller, regardless of the adjusted position of the printing roller.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings which disclose a structure which is illustrative of the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a printing apparatus embodying the features of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in the direction indicated;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, with a portion broken away, taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1 in the direction indicated;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional View taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3 in the direction indicated;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the apparatus as seen from the right end of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 and in the direction indicated;

FIG. 9 is a detail sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6 before a bag is fed through the printing apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 and showing a bag being fed through the apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 6 and in the direction indicated, before a bag is fed through the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11 and showing a bag being fed through the apparatus; and

ice

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bag showing indicia that may be printed thereon by the apparatus.

The device consists generally of a supporting frame A (FIGS. 1 and 2) having a supporting table B, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, located at the rear of the apparatus for supporting a bag or other material to be printed. Rotatably mounted on the supporting frame A is a driving shaft. Some suitable means, such as an electric motor, is employed to drive the driving shaft. Mounted on this driving shaft and in fixed relation thereto are two pairs of driving friction rollers C. Slots are made in the supporting table B so that the upper peripheries of the driving rollers C are approximately in the same plane or adjacent to the plane of the horizontal supporting table B, as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted above the driving shaft is a driven shaft. This driven shaft is mounted on the frame A and is freely rotatable thereon. Fixedly mounted on the driven shaft for rotation about a fixed axis are two pairs of driven friction rollers D. Each pair of driven friction rollers D is positioned on the driven shaft opposite each pair of driving rollers C which are positioned on the driving shaft. Located between each pair of driven rollers D for rotation therewith, are two printing rollers E, shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The printing rollers E are provided with printing type on the periphery thereof for printing indicia on a bag, or the like. The outer surface of this printing type is located somewhat outwardly from the periphery of the two pairs of driven rollers D. Located opposite and below the two printing rollers E are two pressure rollers F. The pressure rollers F are freely rotatable on the driving shaft and are located between each pair of driving rollers C. The outer diameter of the pressure rollers F is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the driving rollers C.

The driving shaft to which the driven rollers D and the printing rollers E are secured, is mounted on the frame by two adjustable shaft mounting means G which can be employed to change the elevation of the driven shaft, thereby varying the distance between the driving rollers C and the driven rollers D and also the distance between the printing rollers E and the pressure rollers P, so that the apparatus may be employed with materials or bags of various thicknesses.

Mounted on the frame A and located upwardly and outwardly from the printing rollers E are two inking rollers H (FIGS. 1 and 2). The inking rollers H cornprise two circular driven disks with a circularly disposed inking pad mounted therebetween. The two inking rollers H are rotatably mounted on a shaft which rests on two supporting surfaces that are inclined in a direction toward the printing rollers B. By this construction, gravity will tend to force the driven disks of the inking rollers H into engagement with peripheral driving surfaces on the printing rollers E so that they may be driven thereby. Thus, upon rotation of the printing rollers E the inking rollers H will be driven through the two outer driven disks, rather than by the inking pad, so that only a minimum of Wear on the inking pad will result from the operation, and ink will be distributed uniformly on the printing type of the printing roller. Further, by such a construction when the driven shaft is lowered or raised, thus lowering or raising the printing roller E, the inking rollers will automatically adjust themselves so that the same amount of pressure will occur between the inking pad and the printing type, which will result in this same uniform application of ink to the printing type regardless of the position of the driven shaft.

When it is desired to print indicia on a bag or some other similar material, the driven shaft is adjusted by the use of the shaft supporting means G so that the distance between the two pairs of driving rollers C and the two pairs of driven rollers D is somewhat less than the thickness of the bag or material to be printed. The electric motor is then turned on which thereby rotates the driving rollers C but not the driven rollers D, the printing rollers E, or the pressure rollers F. The bag to be printed is then placed on the horizontal supporting table B and fed inwardly toward the driving rollers C and the driven rollers D. When the front edge of the bag reaches a point almost directly between the driving shaft and the driven shaft, the driving rollers C cooperate with the driven rollers D to pull the bag inwardly between the rollers. This pulling action on the bag is accomplished by, or is dependent upon, the driven rollers E being spaced upwardly from the driving rollers C a distance slightly less than the thickness of the bag, so that the driving rollers C will drive the bag, and the driven rollers D will be rotated through the agency of the bag. That is to say, if the driven rollers D are spaced too great a distance from the driving rollers C, or if the thickness of the bag substantially decreases at a certain point, movement of the bag will be prevented or be substantially decreased, as will the rotation of the driven rollers D. As a result of this, as the bag is being fed through the printing apparatus, the lineal speed of the bag will be equal to the peripheral speed of the printing roller. Thus there will be no relative movement between the printing type and the bag during the printing operation. Under such conditions, the printing on the bag will be done accurately, quickly, and without smearing.

In order to obtain an optimum printing pressure while printing indicia on the bag, the freely rotatable pressure rollers F are employed. As the bag is being driven through at the same lineal speed as the peripheral speed of the printing roller, the printing pressure is effected between the printing type and the bag by the pressure roller F so that the printing type drive the pressure roller F through the agency of the bag. There is very little space between the type on the printing roller E and the pressure roller F so that during the printing operation, the printing type will drive the pressure roller F, through the bag, at the same peripheral speed as the printing roller E. Under these conditions, the printing pressure will be obtained without smearing or deformation of the type, since there will be no relative movement between the type and the pressure rollers F or between the printing type and the bag during the printing operation.

Thus it is seen that as the bag is fed through the printing apparatus, the lineal speed of the bag is equal to the peripheral speed of the printing type. This condition effects accurate printing on the bag without smearing of the ink on the bag. Further, as'the bag is being driven through the rollers, the pressure roller F is rotated at the same speed as the printing roller E and not directly by the driving rollers C. This condition results in the printing pressure being normal to the printing type so that the printing operation will be accomplished Without slurring on the bag. Since the drive of the bag and of the driven rollers D is effected at both sides of the printing rollers E, twisting of the bag, near the portion of the bag to be printed, will be at a minimum. This will also tend to assure accurate printing on the bag.

The frame A comprises a lower rectangularly shaped base member 21, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Secured to and extending upwardly from the base member 21 are three rectangularly shaped leg members 22. Attached to and supported by the leg members 22 is the supporting table B comprising a horizontal supporting plate 23 having an uper horizontal supporting surface and two vertically disposed shoulder members 24 at either end thereof. As shown in FIG. of the drawings, the supporting plate 23 is generally rectangular in shape and has two rectangularly shaped cut-out portions 25 and 26 in the front side thereof.

Mounted at one end of the frame A and supported by the base member 21 is a housing 27 (FIGS. 1 and 5). Mounted Within the housing 27 and supported by the base member 21 is an electric motor 28 which drives a pulley belt 29. The pulley belt 29 drives a pulley that is mounted on a shaft and rotation of this shaft is transmitted through a gear box 31 to a sprocket gear 32. The sprocket gear 32 drives a chain 33 which drives a sprocket gear 34. The sprocket gear 34 is fixed to a driving shaft 35 which is journalled for rotation on the three supporting legs 22.

Mounted on the driving shaft 35 in fixed relation thereto, are two pairs of friction driving rollers C, shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, each pair of driving rollers C comprises two driving rollers 36 and 37. The driving roller 36 comprises an inner cylindrical mounting or hub portion 38 having a cylindrical bore slightly larger than the driving shaft 35 for receiving the shaft 35. Integral with the mounting portion 38 is a web portion 39 that extends outwardly therefrom at the inner end thereof. Integral with the web portion 39 is an outer cylindrical flange portion 41. The outer cylindrical flange portion 41 has a peripheral recess 42 therein that is rectangular in cross section and extends completely around the periphery of the flange portion 41. Mounted within this recess is a friction band 43 made of rubber, or some other suitable resilient material, that extends completely around the roller 35 and extends outwardly from the flange portion 41. The band 4-3 has transverse grooves therein. The driving roller 36 is secured to the driving shaft 35 for rotation therewith by the use of a locking screw 44 which is screwed through a threaded aperture in the hub portion 38 for locking engagement with driving shaft 35.

The driving roller 37 is generally similar to the driving roller 36 and is spaced therefrom by a cylindrical bushing 45 mounted on the driving shaft 35. The driving roller 37 comprises an inner cylindrical hub or mounting portion 46 which is adapted to receive the driving shaft 35. Extending outwardly from and integral with the cylindrical mounting portion 46 at the inner end thereof is a radially extending web portion 47. On the periphery of the web portion 47 and integral therewith is an outer cylindrical flange portion 43. The cylindrical flange portion 48 has a recess 49 that extends completely around the periphery of the flange portion 43 and is rectangular in cross section. Mounted within the recess 4-9 is a circular friction band 51, similar to band 43, which extends completely around the driving roller 37. The friction band 51 is made of rubber, or some other suitable resilient material, and extends outwardly from the periphery of the circular flange portion 48. The driving roller 37 is secured to the driving shaft 35 in fixed relation thereto, as by the use of a locking screw 52 which can be screwed through a threaded aperture in the hub portion 46 for locking engagement with the driving shaft 35.

Mounted between each pair of driving rollers C for free rotation about the bushing 45 is a pressure roller F. The pressure roller F comprises an inner circular mounting portion or hub 53 and a web portion 54 and an outer circular flange portion 55 formed integrally therewith. The flange portion 55 has a smooth outer peripheral pressure surface 56 whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the peripheral surfaces of the friction bands 4-3 and 51.

The driving shaft 35 is position so that the leftmost pair of driving rollers C and the associated pressure roller F, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, extend upwardly through the slot 25 in the supporting plate 23, whereas, as shown in FIG. 1, the rightmost pair of driving rollers C and the associated pressure roller F extend upwardly through the slot 26 in the supporting plate 23. The pressure roller F between the leftmost pair of driving rollers C is positioned a distance from the leftmost shoulder 24 approximately equal to the desired vertical positioning of the code or printing on a bag as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. This position can be varied by adjusting the position of this pair of driving rollers C and its associated pressure roller F on the driving shaft 35, by loosening and later tightening the locking screw 44 and 52. The rightmost pair of driving rollers C and their associated pressure roller F extend upwardly through the slot 26 in the supporting plate 23 and the positioning of these rollers also may be varied by loosening and later tightening the locking screws 44 and 52. Both of these pairs of driving rollers C and their associated pressure rollers F extend upwardly through the slots 25 and 26 so that the upper peripheral surface of the two pairs of driving rollers C and the associated pressure rollers F are approximately within the plane of the upper supporting surface of the supporting plate 23, as shown in FIG. 2.

Secured to and extending upwardly from the two shoulder members 24 are two L-shaped supporting members 57, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Secured to and supported at the upper ends of these Lshaped members 57 are two L-shaped channel members 58 and 59 forming a slot 61 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 of the drawings. Supported by the channel members 58 and 59 and extending downwardly through the slot 61 are two adjustable shaft supporting means G, shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8 of the drawings. These two adjustable shaft supporting means G are identical, and each comprises an inverted L-shaped member 62, shown in FIG. 6, having a horizontal plate portion 63 which is secured to a generally vertical plate portion 64. The horizontal plate portion 63 has a centrally located threaded aperture 65 for receiving a locking bolt 66. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking bolt 66 with a washer employed below the head of the bolt, is inserted through the slot 61 and threaded into the aperture 65 of the horizontal plate portion 63. By such a construction, the inverted L-shaped supporting member 62 may be adjustably positioned at any point along the slot 61 by merely loosening and later tightening the locking bolt 66. Horizontally disposed and extending outwardly from the vertical plate 64 is an integral flange 67 having a circular aperture 68 therein. Extending downwardly through the aperture 68 for rotation therein is a shaft 69 having a threaded portion 71 at the lower end thereof. The shaft 69 has a generally circular handle 72 secured to the upper end thereof for rotating the same. A retainer collar '73 is fixedly secured to the shaft 69 between the lower flanges of the channel members 58 and 59, and the flange 67. A coil spring 74 is disposed on shaft 69 between the handle member 72 and a washer resting on the channel members 58 and 59, so that the upper surface of the retainer collar 73 will be maintained in constant resilient contact with the lower surface of the channel members 58 and 59. The shaft 69 extends downwardly through the slot 61 and the aperture 68 so as to be journalled for free rotation. A vertically disposed U-shaped slide block 75 is employed having a bearing 76 extending horizontally through the lower end thereof. At the upper end of the slid block 75 is a horizontally disposed, semicircular shoulder 77 having a vertically disposed threaded aperture 78 extending therethrough, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. Extending below the shoulder 77 and in line with the aperture 78 is a semicircular threaded recess 79 in the body portion of the slide block 75 that is aligned with the threaded aperture 78 in the shoulder 77. By this construction, the threaded portion 71 of the shaft 69 may be screwed downwardly through the threaded aperture 78 and downwardly into the threaded recess 79 in the slide block 75 so as to adjust the elevation of the side block 75 and the journal 76. On the opposite side of the slide block 75 are two vertically disposed L-shaped guide members 81 formed integrally therewith which are adapted to slidingly embrace the vertical plate 64 of the base supporting members 62.

The two adjustable shaft supporting means G are positioned along the slot 61 so as to rotatably support a driven shaft 82 within the two bearings 76. An adjustable collar is releasably secured to the shaft 82 adjacent each of the bearings 76 (PEG. 6). The driven shaft 82 extends through the leftmost supporting leg 57, as viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawings, through a vertical slot 83 shown in FIG. 3. By rotating the two handles 72, the two slide blocks 75 can be raised or lowered to adjust the vertical position of the driven shaft 82.

Mounted adjacent each of the shaft supporting means G are a pair of friction driven rollers D and a printing roler E (FIGS. 1 and 6). These three rollers may be constructed as three separate rollers, however, in the preferred embodiment, these three rollers are made integral. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the pair of driven rollers D and the printing roller E comprise, as shown in FIG. 6 a hub or cylindrical mounting portion 84 which is adapted to receive the driven shaft 82 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by means of two locking bolts or set screws 85. The locking bolts 85 can be screwed downwardly into locking engagement with a. flat portion 86 on the driven shaft 82, so that the cylindrical mounting portion 84 will be secured to the driven shaft 82 for rotation therewith. Centrally disposed with respect to the cylindrical mounting portion 84, and extending radially outwardly therefrom, is a web portion 87 which is integral therewith. Centrally disposed and integral with the web portion 87 is an outer cylindrical flange portion 88. Mounted on the cylindrical flange portion 88 are two driven friction rollers 89 and 91. The driven friction roller 89 comprises a cylindrical base member 92 which is integral with the circular flange portion 88 and extends outwardly therefrom. The cylindrical base member 92 has a circularly disposed recess 93 in the periphery thereof that extends completely around the cyiindrical base portion 92. The recess 93 is rectangular in cross section. Mounted completely around the base portion 92 in the recess 93 is an annular friction band 94 which extends outwardly from the periphery of the base member 92. The band 94 is made of rubber or any suitable resilient material and has transverse grooves therein.

The driven friction roller 91 likewise comprises a cylindrical base member 95 which is integral with the circular flange portion 88 and extends outwardly therefrom. The cylindrical base member 95 has a recess 96 in the periphery thereof which extends completely around the base member 95. This recess is rectangular in cross section. Mounted within the recess 96 and extending outwardly from the periphery of the cylindrical base member 95 is a circularly disposed friction band 97 which is identical to friction band 94 and extends completely around the circular base member 95.

The printing roller E comprises the cylindrical flange portion 88 best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 88 has a smaller diameter than the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical base members 92 and 95 and forms two radially disposed recess walls 98 and 99, shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a circularly disposed recess 101 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the circular flange portion 88 which extends completely around the flange portion 88, between the walls 98 and 99, and is rectangular in cross section. The recess 101 is shaped to receive conventional resilient printing type 102. As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the outer peripheral surface of the circular flange 88 between the walls 98 and 99 and the friction bands 94 and 97 comprises or defines two smooth cylindrical surfaces which are designated as driving surfaces 103 and 104. The purpose of these driving surfaces will be explained later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawings, a handle 105 is secured to the leftmost end of the driven shaft 82 for manually rotating the shaft 82. Located inwardly from the handle 105 is a circular cam 106, shown in FIG. 3, which is secured to the driven shaft 82 for rotation therewith. The cam 106 has a circular cam surface 107 and a concave dwell 108 on this surface. Pivotally mounted at its lower end on the leftmost shoulder 24, is a cam lever 109 which is urged toward the cam 106 by a spring 111 that is secured to the cam lever 109 at one end and to the supporting leg 57 at the other end. Located upwardly from the pivot of the cam lever 109, is a roller 112 which is rotatably mounted on the cam lever 109. The printing type 102 can be positioned in the recess 101 so that as the bag is fed into the printing apparatus and the driven shaft 82 is driven during the printing operation, the roller 108 will ride on the cam surface 107. When the bag has gone through the printing apparatus and the printing operation is completed, the roller 112 will engage in the dwell 108 to releasably stop the driven shaft 82 in a predetermined position. After printing type 102 have been mounted in the recess 101, indicia can be printed in the same desired position on similar bags without manually adjusting or manipulating the driven shaft 82. As shown at the left in FIGS. 1 and of the drawings, a bearing 113 is mounted on the shaft 82 adjacent the cam 106 and is slidably mounted in vertical slot 83. The bearing 113 is adapted to be fixed in adjusted position Within this slot 33 by a plurality of set screws 114 (FIG. 3) which extend through a suitable boss on the supporting leg 57. Thus when it is desired to raise or lower the driven shaft 82, the set screws 114 may be loosened and bearing 113 and the driven shaft 82 may be raised or lowered. The handles 72 of the shaft supporting means G, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, are then rotated to effect the desired raising or lowering of the driven shaft 82, and the set screws 114 then may again be tightened to fixedly position the hearing 113 within the slot 83.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 of the drawings, two shaft supporting members 115 having inclined supporting surfaces 116 inclined generally in a direction downwardly toward the printing rollers D and horizontally disposed plates 117 are secured to the frame A by bolts 118 that extend downwardly through the slot 61 and are threaded into apertures in the horizontal securing plates 117. Thus the two supporting members 115 can be positioned at any desired points in the slots 61 by adjusting the bolts 118 and sliding the supporting members 115 to the position desired.

Supported on the two inclined supporting surfaces 116 of the supporting members 115 is an inking means which comprises a shaft 119 having two inking rollers H ro tatable thereon, as shown in FIGS. l-4 of the drawings. Each inking roller H comprises a relatively short cylindrical bushing member 121 that is rotatably mounted on shaft 119 and has external threaded portions at both ends. Secured, by glue or other means, to the bushing 121 intermediate the ends thereof and in fixed relation therewith is a wooden cylindrical core member 122. Two circular supporting discs 123 and 124, having apertures through the center thereof, are employed. These disks are placed over the bushing 121 and are secured to either end of the core member 122 for rotation therewith. Secured to the outer peripheral surfaces of the disks 123 and 124, is a circularly disposed or annular inking pad 125. For driving the inking roller, two circular disks 126 and 127, having apertures through the center thereof, are slipped over either end of the bushing 121, so that when locking nuts 128 are tightened onto both of the threaded portions of the bushing 121, the inking roller H will rotate as a unit about the inking shaft 119.

The disks 126 and 127 extend radially beyond the inking pad 125 and are so spaced and positioned that they will engage the driving surfaces 103 and 104. As best seen in FIG. 4, the friction bands 94 and 97 will limit movement of the disks 126 and 127, and therefore the inking roller H, axially of shaft 119. Further, some suitable stop such as an adjustable collar similar to collar may be placed on shaft 119 so that the inking roller H is between the stop and bracket to limit lateral movement of the inking roller H on shaft 119, to insure that the inking pad will accurately contact the printing type 101. As the printing roller E rotates, the driving surfaces 103 and 104 will impart rotary movement to the driven disks 126 and 127. This motion will, of course, be imparted to the inking pad 125 which will effect the uniform application of ink to the rotating printing type 101. By having the driving force for the inking rollers H effected through the driven disks 126 and 127, rather than through the inking pad 125, the application of the ink to the printing type 101 can be made with an optimum pressure between the printing type 102 and the inking pad 125 to effect uniform inking of the type. Further, by this construction, there will be less wear on the inking pad 125 during the printing operation. If the inking pads 12S wear, pads 125, core 122 and disks 123, 124 can be replaced by removing the locking nuts 128 and disks 126 and 127. The core 122 can then be forced loose from bushing 121.

The inking shaft 119 rests on the inclined surface 116 of the supporting member 115, as previously described. By this construction, the weight of the inking roller H and the shaft 119 automatically force the driven disks 126 and 127 into driving engagement with the driving surfaces 103 and 104 to be driven thereby. If the driven shaft 82 is lowered or raised, thereby lowering or raising the printing rollers E and the driving surfaces 103 and 104, the inking shaft 119 will automatically adjust its position on the inclined surface 116, so that the same pressure between the inking pad 125 and the type 102 will be maintained regardless of the position of the driven shaft 82. Hence, no matter where the driven shaft is positioned after adjustment, the same inking pressure will be automatically obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings, a tubular guide member 129 is secured at either end to the two shoulder members 24 and is perpendicular thereto. The guide member 129 is positioned adjacent the rear of the two pairs of driven rollers D and the printing roller E. The lower peripheral surface of the guide member 129 is spaced a relatively short distance above the upper horizontal surface of the supporting plate 23, so that when an operator moves a bag inwardly toward and between the rollers, the bag must necessarily be in a substantially horizontal or flat position. As the operator feeds the bag into the printing apparatus, if there is a wrinkle in the bag, it will be depressed by the guide member 129 so that as it goes between the rollers it will be substantially flat. This will insure that the desired indicia are printed in the same position on every bag in parallel relationship. It will further insure that both edges of the bag are parallel as the printing operation proceeds so that twisting of the bag will not occur, which might tend to slur the print on the bag. Pivotally mounted at their upper ends to the rear of the channel member 59, are two guard members 131 are thus arranged to prevent the operator from directly behind the two pairs of driven rollers D, and are of an inverted L-shaped configuration, with the lower ends thereof swinging into abutting relationship with the guide member 129 so as to prevent movement of the guard member 131 beyond that point. The guard members 131 are thus arranged to prevent the operator from accidentally inserting his fingers between the rollers and the guide member 129 and being injured during operation of the apparatus, while permitting intentional access to the rollers D and E.

In the operation of the apparatus, the two pairs of driven rollers D and associated printing rollers E are moved longitudinally along the driven shaft 82 to a position wherein the printing roller B will print indicia on a bag at a desired position on the bag. The screws 85 are then tightened so that both pairs of driven rollers D and the associated printing rollers B will rotate with the driven shaft 82 about a fixed axis. The shaft mounting means G is then moved to such a position adjacent the driven rollers D that the driven shaft 82 will have a firm or steady mounting adjacent to each pair of driven rollers D and the associated printing roller E. This is done by loosening the locking bolt 66 and moving the two shaft mounting means G longitudinally along the slot 61. When each shaft mounting means G has reached a position adjacent a pair of driven rollers D, the locking bolt 66 can be tightened to lock the shaft mounting means G in this desired position. The two pairs of driving rollers C and the associated pressure rollers F are then moved to such position on the driving shaft 35 that each pair of driving rollers C is opposite a pair of driven rollers D and the associated pressure roller F is directly opposite the printing roller E, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Each pair of driven rollers D and the associated pressure roller F can then be locked in this position by tightening the locking screws 44 and 52. The two supporting members 115 can then be moved along the slot 61 until they are in position adjacent the two pairs of driven rollers D, as shown in FIG. of the drawings. The inking rollers H are then moved longitudinally along the shaft 119 so that one inking roller will have its driven disks 126 and 127 contacting the driving surfaces 103 and 104 of one of the printing rollers E, as will the other inking roller contact the other printing roller. In this position, members 115 and adjustable stops on shaft 119 will prevent lateral movement of inking rollers H on shaft 119 and movement of the printing rollers E will impart a movement to the inking rollers H, so that the inking pad 125 will uniformly apply ink to the printing type 102.

The driven shaft 82 can be adjusted vertically so that the distance between the lower peripheral edge of the driven rollers D and the upper peripheral edge of the driving rollers C is slightly less than the thickness of the bag to be printed. This is done by loosening the set screws 114, as shown in FIG. 3, and then rotating the two handles 72 until the driven shaft 02 positions the driven rollers D as above described. The set screws 114 are then tightened to additionally insure placement of the driven shaft 82. In this position of the driven shaft 82, the pressure rollers F are spaced from the type 102 of the printing rollers E a distance less than the thickness of the bag to be printed. The desired printing type 102 are placed in the recess 101 of the printing rollers B so that the printing on the bag will be in the center of the bag, or one side, or the other, as desired, and repeated operations of the machine will result in uniform application of the desired indicia, because the driven shaft 82 will automatically stop after one revolution in the same position, due to the roller 112 on the cam lever 109, as will be explained later.

The electric motor 28 is then turned on which drives the driving shaft 35, thereby driving the two pairs of driving rollers C. Since the driving rollers C are spaced from the driven rollers D they will not drive the driven rollers D. Further this rotary movement will not be imparted to the pressure roller F and, hence, both pairs of driven rollers D and the associated printing roller E vwill not rotate.

A bag to be printed is then placed on the horizontal supporting plate 23 as shown in FIG. 5, with one edge abutting the leftmost shoulder member 24. The bag is then fed manually toward (FIG. 9) and between (FIG. 10) the driven rollers D and the driving rollers C. As the bag is being fed in this direction, if it does not lay substantially flat upon the supporting plate 23, the guide member 129, shown in FIG. 2, will straighten it out or lower it to a substantially horizontal position. As the bag comes between the driving rollers C and the driven rollers D, it fills in the gap between these rollers and acts as an agent to impart motion from the driving rollers C to the driven rollers D, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 of the drawings. As stated above, the upper peripheral edges of the driving rollers C are approximately in the same plane as the upper surface of the horizontal supporting plate 23. Thus, the horizontal supporting plate 23 affords a substantial stationary support to the bag. If the distance between the driving rollers C and the driven rollers D is greater than the thickness of the bag, movement of the bag will be only slight and the driven rollers D will not be rotated. With the rollers C and D properly positioned and spaced apart a distance less than the thickness of the bag, as the bag is fed between the rollers, as shown in FIG. 10, the rollers D will only be driven when the bag is driven due to the driving engagement between the driving rollers C and the bag and also the driving engagement of the bag and the driven rollers D, and the lineal speed of the bag will be equal to the peripheral speed of the driven rollers D.

The printing rollers E are mounted to rotate with the driven rollers D. Consequently, they will rotate at the same speed as the driven rollers D, so that as the bag is being fed between the rollers during the printing operation, the peripheral speed of the printing type 102 on the printing roller B will be equal to the lineal speed of the bag. As pan be easily understood, when these conditions exist there will be substantially no relative movement between the printing type and the bag while indicia are being printed on the bag and the printing operation will be accomplished as accurately as possible. This is quite important for bags employed in storing perishable goods, for example, so that the date of storage or of origin may be ascertained in an instant. As can be easily understood, such printing on the bags will save many manhours in this particular industry alone.

The pressure rollers F are employed to obtain optimum printing pressure between the printing type 102 and the bag that is being printed in such a way that it will not affect the lineal speed of the bag. This is done by having the pressure rollers F rotatably mounted on the driving shaft 35 with the printing type 101 positioned in close proximity to the peripheral surfaces of the pressure rollers F. Thus as the bag is being fed between the rollers and the driving rollers C drive the driven rollers D through the agency of the bag, the printing type on the printing rollers B will drive the pressure rollers F through the agency of the bag, as shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings, at a peripheral speed equal to the lineal speed of the bag. As the printing type are printing indicia on the bag, the printing pressure effected by the freely rotatable pressure rollers F is necessarily substantially normal to the printing type. Therefore the driving action on the bag caused by the printing type and the pressure rollers will not distort or displace the bag relative to the printing type to cause undesired blurring or slurring of the ink on the bag, but rather will help insure the lineal speed of the bag being equal to the peripheral speed of the printing roller.

Thus it is seen that as a bag is being printed with the disclosed apparatus, the driving rollers C drive the driven rollers D through the agency of the bag so that the lineal speed of the bag is equal to the peripheral speed of the driven rollers D. This will insure proper and accurate spacing and positioning of the printing on the bag. When the printing type initially contact the bag, they will be afforded printing pressure by the pressure rollers F in a direction normal to the printing type. The supplemental driving action caused by the printing pressure will further insure that the speed of the bag is equal to the lineal speed of the type during printing operation. This supplemental driving action, however, is effected without causing slurring, since the printing pressure effected by the pressure roller is necessarily substantially normal to the printing type. By employing a driving action to the bag at either side of the printing roller, local twisting of the bag near the printing type is subntantially eliminated. Further, by employing two pairs of driving rollers C and driven rollers D, overall shifting of the bag is substantially eliminated.

As the bag completes the printing operation and is moved out from between the driven rollers D and the driving rollers C, the driven rollers D, due to momentum, continue to rotate. This rotation continues until the roller 112, shown in FIG. 3, engages the cam dwell 108 in the cam 106 to releasably stop the driven shaft 32 after one complete revolution. Since the printing type 102 are placed in the recess 101 with reference to this stopping position, the printing rollers E and the type 102 are then automatically positioned for printing indicia on the next bag in the same position as the indicia on the preceding bag. When the next bag is placed between the rollers, the driving action effected through the bag will again rotate the shaft 82 and the cam 106.

During the printing operation, the two inking rollers H will be rotated by the printing rollers E due to the contact of the disks 126 and 127 with the driving surfaces 103 and 104. Since this driving is done primarily through these driving surfaces and the corresponding driving disks, the ink on the inking pad 126 will be uniformly applied to the printing type 101. Further, since the inking roller H rotates only when the printing roller E rotates, uniform inking of the printing type 102 will be additionally insured by preventing unnecessary inking of the type. If the driven shaft 82 is raised or lowered to accommodate a bag of a different size for printing thereon, the inking rollers H will automatically adjust themselves to apply the same inking pressure between the inking pad 125 and the printing type 102 as Was applied for the prior printing operation. This is due to the shaft 119 being slidable on the inclined surfaces 116.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

What is claimed:

In a bag printing apparatus, comprising a supporting frame having an upper horizontal supporting surface, a driving shaft mounted for rotation about a fixed axis on said frame, a pair of driving rollers fixedly mounted on said driving shaft, a pressure roller mounted for free rotation on said driving shaft between said pair of driving rollers, another pair of driving rollers fixedly mounted on said driving shaft, another pressure roller mounted for free rotation on said driving shaft between said other pair of driving rollers, said driving shaft being positioned so that the upper peripheries of said driving rollers are approximately within the plane of said supporting surface, a driven shaft mounted on said frame above said driving shaft for free rotation about a fixed axis, a pair of driven rollers mounted for rotation with said driven shaft opposite each said pair of driving rollers, a printing roller mounted for rotation with said driven shaft between each said pair of driven rollers and opposite a said pressure roller, said driven rollers being spaced from the oppositely disposed driving rollers a distance less than the thickness of a bag to be printed, said printing rollers being spaced from the oppositely disposed pressure rollers a distance less than the thickness of a bag to be printed, and driving means for driving said driving shaft so that, when a bag is placed between said driven rollers and said driving rollers, said driving rollers will drive the bag and said driven rollers, through the agency of the bag, to effect a lineal speed of the bag equal to the peripheral speed of said printing rollers, said printing rollers having printing type and a driving surface on the periphery thereof, an inking roller, comprising a circular disk and a circular inking pad mounted adjacent said disk for rotation thereby, a shaft, said inking roller being mounted for free rotation on said shaft, and an inclined surface inclined downwardly toward said driving surface, said shaft being mounted for free sliding movement under the sole influence of gravity on said inclined surface so that said driven disk'will engage said driving surface and be driven thereby.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 573,407 12/96 Hale 1012l6 835,903 11/06 Grant 1012l6 X 872,302 11/07 McMahon 1012l6 1,074,004 9/13 Moon et a1. 101228 1,282,237 10/18 Kick 101349 1,293,963 2/19 Snowden 101349 1,914,502 6/33 Heaton 1012l6 1,957,291 5/34 Rees 101-228 2,823,605 2/58 Kutsch 101227 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM B. PENN, Examiner. 

